# NightShade

NightShade is a Cyber Range Training product. It runs on-premises. Pricing is free.

NightShade is a Django-based capture the flag framework that enables organizations to create and manage cybersecurity competitions with support for multiple contest formats and multi-tenant architecture.

Checked October 2026.

## What is NightShade?

NightShade is a capture the flag (CTF) framework designed to facilitate the creation and management of cybersecurity competitions. The platform supports multiple CTF formats including jeopardy-style, traditional, and blind-style competitions.

The framework provides a web-based interface for contest administration and participant interaction. Users can access challenge pages, view user profiles, and browse available contests through the platform's interface.

NightShade is built using Django and includes multi-tenant architecture capabilities, allowing multiple sites to run simultaneously on a single installation. The system requires database setup through Django's migration system and domain configuration for proper request handling.

The platform includes features for challenge management, user registration and profiles, contest listing, and scoring systems. It supports educational institutions and non-profit organizations with potential free hosting options.

Installation involves setting up Python dependencies, configuring the database schema, and establishing domain settings through Django's management interface. The framework is designed to simplify the process of running cybersecurity competitions for educational and training purposes.

Tags: CTF, Education

## Where it fits in your security program (NIST CSF 2.0)

- [Protect](https://cybersectools.com/guides/building-protect-program-small-team): helps you prevent attacks and keep data safe.

## Quick facts

- Category: [Human Risk](https://cybersectools.com/categories/human-risk) · [Cyber Range Training](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cyber-range)
- Deployment: On-Premises
- Company size fit: Startup, SMB, Mid-Market
- Pricing model: Free
- GitHub stars: 126
- Website: github.com

## NightShade FAQ

### What is NightShade?

NightShade is a product in the Cyber Range Training category. It covers CTF and Education.

### What is the pricing for NightShade?

NightShade is free. Download and setup instructions are at https://github.com/akama/NightShade.

### What are alternatives to NightShade?

Alternatives to NightShade listed on CybersecTools:

1. [SudoCyber](https://cybersectools.com/tools/sudocyber) - Gamified cybersecurity training platform with hands-on labs and certifications (Commercial)
2. [GemForge Labs](https://cybersectools.com/tools/gemforge-labs) - Subscription-based cybersecurity lab platform with hands-on hackable instances. (Commercial)
3. [MetaCTF Cloud Labs / Cloud Ranges](https://cybersectools.com/tools/metactf-cloud-labs-cloud-ranges) - Cloud-based, team-based hands-on cybersecurity training labs simulating real networks (Commercial)
4. [CTFGuide](https://cybersectools.com/tools/ctfguide) - Social learning platform for CTF challenges, labs, and cybersecurity training. (Free)
5. [echoCTF.RED](https://cybersectools.com/tools/echoctfred) - CTF platform providing hands-on cybersecurity training and competition challenges (Free)

Compare all NightShade alternatives at [https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/nightshade](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/nightshade)

### What deployment and organization size does NightShade fit?

NightShade is available as on-premises software. It is listed for startups, small businesses and mid-market companies. It is free.

## Compare NightShade with similar solutions

- [NightShade vs SudoCyber](https://cybersectools.com/compare/nightshade-vs-sudocyber)
- [NightShade vs GemForge Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/gemforge-labs-vs-nightshade)
- [NightShade vs MetaCTF Cloud Labs / Cloud Ranges](https://cybersectools.com/compare/metactf-cloud-labs-cloud-ranges-vs-nightshade)

All alternatives to NightShade: [/alternatives/nightshade](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/nightshade)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/tools/nightshade

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More on NightShade: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=product-md